TNC and Fish, Wildlife & Parks Double Size of Nevada Creek WMA

OVANDO - The Nevada Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is expanding thanks to the transfer of 760 acres of land from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The transfer protects a habitat corridor that connects elk and mule deer with winter range and protects headwater areas for the sensitive westslope cutthroat trout.  In the process, it will double the size of the Nevada Creek WMA and provide a new public access point to Helena National Forest land.

The project is part of a community conservation effort lead by TNC and Blackfoot Challenge known as the Blackfoot Community Project. The project has spanned over a decade, eliminated checkerboard ownership patterns throughout much of the Blackfoot Valley and returned more than 57,000 acres of former Plum Creek Timber Company lands to public ownership.

"This was a huge community effort to not just secure the future of this land for its natural values, but to preserve the quality of life in this rural area.  There is so much evidence that creating new public lands in Montana is both good for nature and good for local economies," said Richard Jeo, state director of TNC in Montana.

The Blackfoot Community Project is an example of true community conservation in action. This effort by the Blackfoot Challenge, TNC and other partners was aimed at conserving former Plum Creek timber land. When over 89,000 acres of this land went on the market, the Conservancy worked with the Blackfoot Challenge organization and the local community to purchase the lands and hold them until permanent conservation based plans could be made for the long-term use of the land and eventual transfer to public and private owners. The completion of this transfer marks another step forward in this process. 

By connecting the wildlife management area and other conserved land around Nevada Creek, unimpeded public access is ensured. The project also secures vital habitat and movement corridors for animals such as grizzly bears and Canada lynx, as well as important winter range for mule deer and elk.

"Leaving this land in open space will allow wildlife to continue natural movements and migrations between summer and winter ranges and from mountain range to mountain range, without coming into conflict with human developments," says Fish Wildlife & Park Wildlife Manager Mike Thompson.

 The addition of this land, known as the Clear Creek Conservation Project, also received praise from the President of the Hellgate Hunters and Anglers, Kit Fisher.

 "We are thrilled with the addition of the Clear Creek property to the Wildlife Management Area and thankful that sportsmen will continue to be able to access this wonderful place."

The transaction was made possible with funding from the Forest Legacy program, a federal program that supports state efforts to conserve environmentally sensitive forest lands.